Sturgis advertiser. (Sturgis, Dakota [S.D.]) 1887-1???, 1887-10-19
STURGIS ADVERTISER.
GROW = HARBERD, ProprIetors.
THE DOOMED ANARCHISTS.


THE DOOMED ANARCHISTS.
It is impossible to contemplate the
decision Of the Supreme Court Of nli-
nois, which condemns seven Chicago an
archists to death, without a feeling of
confederation, though its Justice must
be admitted. 1t is solemn thing to
take human life, even according to
the forms oflaw, and upon the demand
of justice. The affirmation of the
judgement of the Court below in the
cases of Schwab,; Eng'e, Ling, Spies,
Parsons, Fielden and Fisher by the
highest court Of the State is fnality.
To question the righteousness of this
act is to question the right of the COM
munity to protect itself from lawless-
ness and to MAINTAIN the benefcent in
situations Of the State. That these men
were misguided may be believed; that
they were led into crime by the fell
low Most and other foreigners whose
rantings they had listened to and
whose books they have read is
perhaps true. They are now
adjudged guilty. of the highest crime
known to the state. Theirs was con-
spiracy not only against the lives of
the constituted authorities; 1t was an
assault, upon the orderly and just re-
straint which alone can assure the safe
ty and peace of society. 1t was net
alone blow at the individual; it was a
stroke ut the very foundation of good
order and Of the sacred institutions I'm.
der which human rights and human
liberty are sheltered.
Men who seek to overthrow law;
whose purpose is to substitute anarchy
for the peaceable methods by which
justice may be obtained should not be
permitted to linger in the community
they would destroy longer than is re-
CURED under the forms of law to thor
oughly establish their guilt and allow
a reasonable time for preparation for
death.
The anarchists had fair trial. They
were ably defended. Chief Justice
Sheldon announced that the errors of
the court below were SO few and I'M
important that there was no reason for
ordering a new trial.
The anarchists protested to be act
ing for the good of the laboring peo-
pie. They claimed TO be the
emancipators Of labor. 'The CAPT
talistic class" as they chose to desig-
nate the employers, are the enemies Of
working people and as such were to be
compelled to submit to division Of
their possessions until all should have
an equal share. For this they pur.
posed to make war en- society and
trample the law under their feet. And
what would labor gainp Under sucn a
regime how would the wage Garner be
beneitedp Whatever protection labor
has must be by law; whatever prosperity
it enjoys must come by the stability OF
society, and the orderly administration
OF the law. If the law is defective the
remedy is peaceable one. In times Of
turbulence labor is the first to suffer.
In all communities where disturbances
are prevalent or of frequent occurrence,
labor is degraded and poor. It can
only thrive where law is held sacred.
The anarchists are enemies of working
people as they are of mankind.
However much the necessity which
was laid upon the supreme court to at.
firm the judgment of the court below
may be regretted, its justice will not
be doubted. A feeling of compassion
for the unfortunate prisoners may steal
into the heart, not because of sympathy
with their ideas, but because of the la
mentable situation to which their in
famous crime has brought them. Yet
u must be remembered that the protec-
ton which the state is bound to give
its citizens requires at it's hands the ex-
ecution of these men. The court has
but spoken the sentence of the people.
The majesty of the law must be sus-
tanned. The community must not be
put at the mercy of the enemies of pub
lie order.
Let none put forth the
claim that the seven condemned Anar-
ehists are martyrs. They commended
for no theory that can benefit man
kind; they gave to the awed system
capable Of adding to the sum of hu-
man happiness. They are vielators
not only Of human but of the divine
law. They have deserved the misera-
BILE deaths which they are in a few
weeks to suffer. If their fate shall be
. warning TO their followers to desist
from fhoir owls y, Il -,